SSE Airtricity Gas NI Limited - Tariffs & Payment Options

Tariffs & Payment Options

Tariffs

The tariff is the unit price of natural gas to our customers and is measured in kWh (kilowatt hours).

We offer a range of options for credit and Direct Debit customers and a Pay As You Go Tariff for customers paying for their natural gas using a prepayment meter.

We promise to notify you at least 21 days in advance of any change to our tariffs.

SSE Airtricity Tariffs - Effective 31 March 2017

• Domestic 
• Pay As You Go
• IC1

Terms and Conditions of Supply

When you become a customer of SSE Airtricity Gas NI you agree to accept supply of, and pay for, the natural gas supplied in accordance with our terms and conditions.

You can access our terms and conditions of natural gas supply here or contact us on 0345 900 5253 to obtain a copy.

Understanding your natural gas bill

If you are unable to understand your natural gas bill you can contact us on 0345 900 5253 and our fully trained staff will be happy to help you.

There is also some explanatory information on the back of the bill which may be useful.

To access a detailed diagram of a Standard Credit or Direct Debit bill, complete with a step-by-step guide to understanding their contents, simply Click here.

Meter reading

We calculate the quantity of natural gas supplied to you by reading the natural gas meter at the supply address. The volume of natural gas recorded by the meter is converted into kilowatt hours and charged at our published tariffs.

Estimated bills

We will endeavour to read your meter at least once a year. If we have not been able to get an actual meter reading, we will base your bill on an estimate of the amount of natural gas you may have used.

You can give us an up to date meter reading by any of the following methods:

• Leave a meter reading on our designated meter reading telephone line 028 9055 5864;
• Speak to our Customer Service team on 0345 900 5253;
• Online at www.airtricitygasni.com
• Email us on info@airtricitygasni.com quoting your customer reference number

Please see our Code of Practice on the Efficient Use of Gas for information on how you may be able to reduce your gas bills through using your energy more efficiently.

Payment Methods

Quarterly Credit

Payment by quarterly credit is subject to the completion of a satisfactory credit check. If you pay your bill quarterly, your bill will show the amount of natural gas that you have already used and is due for payment as soon as you receive it. You can pay your bill by the following methods:

• Pay online at www.airtricitygasni.com
• Pay at any Danske Bank (free of charge)
• Pay at other banks (however you may have to pay a charge for this service)
• Pay by debit card by calling us on 0345 900 5253
• Energy Saver Card
• Post your cheque/postal order to us at the address below. Please make the cheque payable to SSE Airtricity Gas NI Ltd and write your customer number on the back and remember to enclose your payment slip.

Customer Accounts Department
SSE Airtricity Gas (NI) Ltd.
3rd Floor Millennium House , 17-25 Great Victoria Street
Belfast, BT2 7AQ

In some circumstances we may require you to pay a security deposit as a result of our credit checks.

Energy Saver Scheme

You can join our Energy Saver Scheme which allows you to make payments towards your next bill. You will be provided with a customer card, which you can simply take along with your payment to a local PayPoint outlet located across Northern Ireland usually at petrol stations, convenience stores, supermarkets and newsagents. You will continue to receive bills each quarter which will show the natural gas used, any payments made, and any outstanding balance (which must be settled immediately).

Pay As You Go

By using a Pay As You Go meter you can pay for your natural gas as and when you require it. A PAYG customer card will be supplied with the meter enabling you to take your payment to a local PayPoint outlet located across Northern Ireland usually at petrol stations, convenience stores, supermarkets and newsagents. You are in control as you can choose the amount you wish to spend for your natural gas usage and you can actively monitor your consumption.

Direct Debit

Our monthly direct debit plan provides you with an easy and convenient way to pay your natural gas bills whilst receiving a Direct Debit discount.

To set up your account on monthly direct debit you can contact us on 0345 900 5253 or click here to download an application form.

How does Direct Debit work?

• We will supply you with natural gas and you will agree to pay twelve monthly payments through your bank or building society towards the cost of natural gas used.
• A Statement will be issued by us giving details of the natural gas used and the payments received for the previous twelve month period (in your first year this period may be less than twelve months).
• Following the Statement your account will be reviewed and you will receive a Budget Review Letter advising of the monthly payment amount for the following 12 month period.
• Any overpayments at the end of the year may be carried over into the following year’s payments or can be refunded to you upon request.
• Any underpayments at the end of the year may be carried over into the following year’s payments unless we ask you to pay the balance.
• If your usage pattern changes in any way due to a change in circumstances or the addition of further natural gas appliances, please contact us to enable a reassessment of your monthly payment amount.
• You can submit a meter reading at any time and we will assess if your monthly payments are in line with your usage. However, remember that your usage will vary depending on the time of year which the meter read covers.
• If you are a new customer we request that you provide us with a meter reading after the first six months and we will assess if your payments are in line with your usage.
• You may cancel your Direct Debit by notifying your bank and advising us. You will be required to settle your account in full at that time. Quarterly credit billing will be subject to completion of a satisfactory credit check.
• Should you become aware at any time that Direct Debit payments are not being collected from your account you must tell us.
• All banks and building societies offer a Direct Debit Guarantee that covers how they will notify you of any changes, what to do in the event of error and how to cancel a Direct Debit. Please contact your bank or building society for further information.

Refunds

If your account has been billed on an up to date meter reading and there is credit remaining, you can request to have this refunded to you.

Direct Debit customers will be refunded directly into their bank account unless refund by cheque is requested.

Quarterly Credit customers will be refunded by cheque.

Refunds can take up to 28 days to process, however we endeavour to issue refunds sooner where possible.

Payment difficulties

SSE Airtricity Gas NI is committed to engaging and working with customers who are having difficulties paying bills. If you are worried about bills or money you owe us, we would encourage you to talk to us. It is important that you keep to a payment arrangement once this has been agreed but if you have difficulty paying for your natural gas please contact us immediately, so that we can help you.

We will also take reasonable steps in our dealings with customers to identify customers who are experiencing financial difficulties. We guarantee that all of our correspondence will be non-threatening and supportive and all our customer contact will be friendly and non-aggressive. We will work with agencies working on the customer’s behalf and use information provided to determine a customer’s ability to make payment. Agencies such as Advice NI can assist you with independent financial advice. You can contact them on 02890 645919 or email them at info@adviceni.net.

Special Payment Arrangements

If you agree to an instalment plan, you can agree to pay a certain amount on a regular basis by direct debit, cash or through a Pay as You Go Meter (PAYG). We are committed to working with you to set up a reasonable and flexible payment arrangement that suits your needs, regardless of your payment preference (e.g. credit, direct debit or PAYG).

We will monitor how customers are meeting payment arrangements and endeavour to ensure that repayments are appropriate for each customer’s individual circumstances. We will take into account factors which may exacerbate difficulty in paying bills such as poor literacy, numeracy or IT skills, lack of bank account or rurality. We will offer a reasonable repayment period for standard credit and Direct Debit customers. If your circumstances change and you are experiencing difficulties adhering to an agreed repayment arrangement, please contact us with any additional information that could help us reassess your case.

Alternatively or in the event that you are unable to meet your payment arrangement, we can install a Pay As You Go (PAYG) meter to assist you in paying for your natural gas. This puts you in control by allowing you to purchase natural gas as and when you want to. The meter will also be set to recover some of your debt each time you top up. You will not receive any further bills but you will receive an annual statement of usage. We will discuss repayment of outstanding arrears with you and will calibrate your PAYG meter to recover up to a maximum rate of 40% of your vend towards those arrears taking into account your ability to pay. More information on PAYG can be found in our Code of Practice on Services for Prepayment Customers.

You can contact us on 0345 900 5253 or write to: -
Credit Control Manager
SSE Airtricity Gas (NI) Ltd.
3rd Floor Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
Belfast
Northern Ireland
BT2 7AQ.

Disconnection

Once you receive your natural gas bill, payment is due immediately. If unpaid, a reminder letter will follow. Where any balance remains unpaid, a disconnection notice will be issued to you in writing.

We will only disconnect your natural gas supply as a last resort and in order to prevent this we promise to: -

• Advise you to contact us for help.
• Train our staff to offer relevant advice and help.
• Train staff to identify and signpost vulnerable customers to other organisations who offer independent advice and assistance.
• Discuss appropriate payment methods and repayment plans based on your personal circumstances and ability to pay.
• Give you a range of ways to contact us and avoid disconnection which may include fitting a Pay as You Go meter.
• Give you written notice of our intention to disconnect, if you have not contacted us.
• Advise you of any reconnection charges levied by the Network Operator and the minimum number of days it will take to reconnect, should disconnection occur.
• We will use all reasonable efforts to avoid disconnecting you if you are supplied through a non-domestic supply (e.g. if you live in a flat above a shop).

Older People, disabled and chronically sick customers

We will not disconnect your natural gas supply in the winter (between 1st October and 31st March) if:

• You are of pensionable age, disabled or chronically sick and live alone; or
• You are of pensionable age, disabled or chronically sick and live with others, all of whom are of pensionable age, disabled or chronically sick; or
• You are of pensionable age, disabled or chronically sick and live with others who are less than 16 years of age.

However, we will still seek to recover any amounts due to us.

Reconnection

If disconnection has occurred, before the supply can be reconnected you must pay the amount owed. You will also have to pay a reconnection fee. Once these payments are received the reconnection can be planned and you will be advised when this will take place, subject to the relevant minimum number of days.
Contact us on 0345 900 5253 for information on current reconnection charges.

If your supply has been disconnected and we do not hear from you, we will take legal action to recover the money you owe us, along with any incurred costs. In the unlikely event that you have been disconnected in error, please contact us immediately and we will endeavour to ensure you are reconnected within 24 hours. We will not impose any disconnection or reconnection charge where we have disconnected you in error.

Interference with the gas supply or meter

You are responsible for making sure the gas meter and equipment is protected, kept in safe condition, not damaged, stolen, subject to meter tampering or otherwise interfered with by anyone, whether deliberately or accidentally and whether with or without your knowledge or consent. Any form of meter tampering or interference with the gas supply at any property is extremely dangerous. Meter tampering is also a serious criminal offence and if your meter is confirmed by the Network Operator to have been tampered with, legal action may be taken which could result in criminal prosecution.

If the Network Operator concludes that the meter or supply at your property has been tampered or interfered with in any way, we will seek to recover all associated costs including the cost of repairing and replacing metering equipment and all charges for natural gas that has not been paid for.

The gas supply at your property may be disconnected from the natural gas network if there is a considered risk to to the health of you, your family and neighbours, and safety due to meter tampering or interference with the gas supply.

Further Advice

If you are unhappy with the level of repayment, you can contact the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland. If requested during a complaints investigation, SSE Airtricity will provide, to the Council, evidence on the procedures we used for assessing ability to pay.

If you require further information or support your local Citizens Advice Bureau or the Consumer Council may be able to assist you. Contact details can be found below. We will work with any agency you choose to represent you.

Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice Regional Office
46 Donegall Pass
Belfast
BT7 1BS

Consumer Council
Floor 3, Seatem House,
28-32 Alfred Street,
Belfast,
County Antrim
BT2 8EN